The Cubs had a challenging weekend in San Francisco. The Cubs won Friday night’s opener and gave the Giants all they could handle in their house. The Cubs actually outscored the Giants 11-7 but dropped two of three and lost the series.
Friday’s victory came at a price. Jason Heyward avoided a major injury. The Cubs will likely be without their right fielder for the entire series in St. Louis.
The Cubs made two roster moves in the wake of Heyward’s injury. Matt Szczur was activated and started Sunday’s finale. To make room for Szczur on the active roster, the Cubs designated Neil Ramirez for assignment.
There was a lot of power on display down on the farm throughout the weekend from several of the top prospects.
Here are the headlines filled with the news, notes and video highlights from the last three-plus days …
Cubs Prospect OF Donnie Dewees Continues Making Noise for Low-A South Bend
The Cubs second round pick in last June’s Draft has played well for Low-A South Bend over the first seven weeks of the season. Donnie Dewees is among the league leaders for the first place South Bend Cubs in several offensive categories.
Report includes video.
The Daily CCO: Cubs Going Back to Cali, Zo’s an On-Base Machine and Other News
The Cubs left Wisconsin for the West Coast following Thursday’s game. The Cubs prepared to spend a weekend in California and looked to get back on track against the Giants.
Ben Zobrist keeps getting on-base and has not slowed down hitting a majority of the time in the fifth spot of Maddon’s lineup behind Anthony Rizzo.
The Cubs released a minor leaguer. Matt Szczur made a brief appearance with the Smokies. A possible Cubs trade target is out for at least four-six weeks.
Daily report includes all of the news, notes and links along with This Day in Cubs History.
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/20/16
Tom recapped all of the action in the Cubs’ system. Eloy Jimenez, Jeimer Candelario, Yasiel Balaguert, Billy McKinney, Chesny Young and Mark Zagunis stayed hot at the plate. While in Iowa, one of the top pitching prospects in the organization was forced to leave Thursday’s game with an injury.
Jason Heyward’s Numbers through 39 Game In-line with Career
Before Jason Heyward made the remarkable catch and violent collision with the wall, the media and fan base talked about Heyward’s slow start. Some viewed the stats as an excuse being made for Heyward not living up to his contract while showing they knew absolutely nothing about the player before the Cubs signed him.
Jason Heyward Scheduled for MRI after Injuring Hip Making Diving Catch
Jason Heyward made an incredible, headlong diving catch to take away a possible inside the park home run from Denard Span. Heyward crashed into the base of the wall in right center at AT&T Park and was fortunate to avoid serious injury.
Report includes video of Heyward’s catch and detail of the events as they unfolded Friday night and early Saturday morning.
Jake Arrieta, Cubs Bash the Giants – Cubs 8, Giants 1
The Cubs weekend in San Francisco started with a win behind Jake Arrieta and three home runs. Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist and Jorge Soler went yard and Arrieta, with his ‘B stuff’ took care of the rest. The Cubs picked it up after Jason Heyward was forced to leave the game with what at time was an injury to his side.
Recap includes videos from the victory over the Giants.
The Daily CCO: Heyward Hurt, Soler Steps Up and Other Cubs News
Jason Heyward’s status moving forward was on everyone’s mind that follows or covers the team Saturday morning. Heyward was scheduled for an MRI and the worst was expected, but it turned out much better than many thought it would.
Jorge Soler played his most complete game of the season on Friday night, and arguably his best all-around regular season game of his big league career. And Joe Maddon was giddy discussing his outfielder following Friday’s game.
Jake Arrieta talked about his outing and the historical information is included in this report.
Daily report includes updates on Ryan Williams, Shane Victorino, Ryan Kalish, Matt Murton and all of the news, notes and links … plus This Day in Cubstory.
Cubs Prospect Eloy Jimenez Goes Yard for Third Time in Two Games
There are several prospects in the Cubs’ minor leagues that are on fire at the plate, and Eloy Jimenez is one of them. Jimenez launched his third home run in two games and is performing well offensively, especially for a 19-year old in his first season of full-season ball.
Report includes video of one of the home runs.
Jason Heyward Likely to Miss Three-Five Days with Contusion on Right Side
Jason Heyward was incredibly fortunate and avoided a major injury when he crashed into the wall on Friday night. Heyward has a bruised right side and is expected to be back in the lineup in three-five days.
From the Wire: Cubs Activate OF Matt Szczur from 15-Day DL, Designate RHP Neil Ramirez for Assignment
Jason Heyward’s injury forced the Cubs to make to roster moves likely earlier that the front office wanted to. With Heyward unavailable for three-five days, Matt Szczur was brought back early from a rehab assignment. To make room for Szczur on the active roster, Neil Ramirez was designated for assignment.
Lester Rocked, Cubs Come Up Short By the Bay – Giants 5, Cubs 3
By far Saturday night was Jon Lester’s worst game of the season. Lester struggled mightily after appearing to get frustrated with the home plate umpire and not letting it go. Lester was knocked out of the game in the third inning. The Cubs pitching streak ended and the offense could not dig out of the early deficit.
Kris Bryant and Dexter Fowler homered. And as it turned out, the two-run double Lester served up to Matt Cain was the difference in the game.
Cubs Prospect 3B Jeimer Candelario Hits Grand Slam, Drives in Seven for Double-A Tennessee
Jeimer Candelario had a career-night and drove in seven of the Smokies’ 10 runs, four with one swing of the bat in the eighth inning … a Grand Slam.
Report includes video of the slam.
The Daily CCO: Jorge Soler, Jason Heyward and Cubs Sunday News and Notes
Jorge Soler was focused in back-to-back games and just about everyone that watches the Cubs have seen the difference. Jason Heyward talked about his injury.
Neil Ramirez was basically released Saturday. And there are reasons as to why the Cubs gambled that another team would claim him off waivers.
Cubs-Cardinals probable pitchers and Gerardo Concepcion are included in the Daily report along with all of the news, news, links and This Day in Cubstory.
Dan Vogelbach Smacks Seventh Vogelbomb for I-Cubs
Dan Vogelbach really likes hitting the PCL, and the numbers prove it. Vogelbach cooled off a little after being named PCL Player of the Week but he launched his seventh longball of the season on Saturday night in Tacoma.
Report includes video of No. 7.
What a Bum-mer – Giants 1, Cubs 0
The Cubs could not figure out Madison Bumgarner after letting him off the hook in the first inning. Kyle Hendricks made two mistakes and Bumgarner doubled in the game’s lone run.
The Cubs were shutout for the third time on the season. And are 2-4 on the current road trip with three big games on the horizon in St. Louis.